First Look At Pixar's First Female Protagonist In 'Brave'

Ah, "Brave." Pixar's next film, after "Cars 2" (and their first non-sequel since 2009's "Up") and according to daintily-worded press releases their first "fairy tale," has had its difficulties – Brenda Chapman, a member of the coveted Pixar brain trust and the first female director to helm a feature at the studio, was fired from the movie after developing it for six years. (According to a Los Angeles Times article from yesterday, she is on a "leave of absence" from Pixar and describes her removal as being for "creative differences.") After Chapman left, an empowered Reese Witherspoon, unhappy with the shake-up and loyal to Chapman, also bailed, replaced by "No Country for Old Men's" Kelly Macdonald.

Ah, "Brave." Pixar's next film, after "Cars 2" (and their first non-sequel since 2009's "Up") and according to daintily-worded press releases their first "fairy tale," has had its difficulties – Brenda Chapman, a member of the coveted Pixar brain trust and the first female director to helm a feature at the studio, was fired from the movie after developing it for six years. (According to a Los Angeles Times article from yesterday, she is on a "leave of absence" from Pixar and describes her removal as being for "creative differences.") After Chapman left, an empowered Reese Witherspoon, unhappy with the shake-up and loyal to Chapman, also bailed, replaced by "No Country for Old Men's" Kelly Macdonald.

But whatever has happened behind-the-scenes of "Brave," we now know one thing for certain: it's going to look really, really beautiful.

After some teasing concept art was released by Pixar not that long ago, we now have a more finished look at the protagonist Merida, in all her glory, thanks to Animatie. The film was described to us, before Disney had even announced that it was in production, as "Pixar's Viking movie," which this sturdy image of a female warrior on horseback suggests.

We should see a teaser trailer for this attached to "Cars 2" in late June (maybe there'll be a double teaser for this and the recently Mars-free "John Carter?"). In any case, "Brave" takes aim in theaters on June 27th, 2012.